Whistler Blackcomb winter 2009.10

Last updated: March 1, 2010

Whistler Blackcomb is the Official Alpine Skiing venue for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The Winter Olympic Games ran February 12-28 and the Paralympic Games take place March 12-21. Paralympic events held in Whistler include Alpine Skiing, Biathlon and Cross-Country Skiing. For the complete Paralympic schedule visit: vancouver2010.com/paralympic-games

Local Athletes to watch:

  • Matt Hallat - Para-Alpine Skiing
  • Lindsay Debou - Para-Alpine Skiing
  • Morgan Perrin - Para-Alpine Skiing
  • Tyler Mosher - Cross-Country Para-Nordic

The 2010 Paralympic Winter Games begin in

Sport competitions and Whistler Live! events will keep Whistler buzzing.

Have you been inspired by the athletes you've seen perform in the last few weeks? Well, you're in for another real treat. The strength, skill, courage and endurance of the Paralympians, who begin competeing on March 12, will blow you away.

  • Dates: March 12-21
  • Number of Athletes/Officials: 1,350
  • Countries represented: 80

The Opening Ceremonies takes place at BC Place Stadium on March 12, and the Closing Ceremonies take place at the Whistler Medals Plaza on March 21.


Paralympic Torch Relay

The 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay will begin in Ottawa on March 3 and conclude at the Opening Ceremonies in Vancouver on March 12. The Torch arrives in Whistler Monday, March 8, 2010.

 

Parking

Parking Options

The following information outlines when each of the day parking lots will be open and closed due to exclusive usage by the Vancouver Organizing Committee for 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

Day Skier Lot Availability:

Lot 1 NOW OPEN to public.
Lot 2 NOW OPEN to public.
Lot 3 NOW OPEN to public.
Lot 4 Feb 1 - Mar 26, CLOSED to public. Mar 27, OPEN to public.
Lot 5 Feb 1 - Mar 26, CLOSED to public. Mar 27, OPEN to public.
Lot 6 (Base II) NOW OPEN to public.
Lot 7 (Base II) Sept 1 - Mar 29, CLOSED to public. Mar 30, OPEN to public.
Lot 8 (Base II) Sept 1 - Mar 29, CLOSED to public. Mar 30, OPEN to public.
Lot 10 (Whistler Driving Range) Mar 1 - 26, OPEN Pay Parking.
Hours of Operation: 6am-2am
Pricing: $10 for 12hrs
$5 after 4pm
Payment: Credit Card or Coins only
Lot 11 (Whistler North Lot) Overflow lot to only open as required.

Whistler Creekside Parking

Phased-in Creekside parkade availability:

P1 Apr 22
Surface Parking Apr 22
P2 Mar 22 (partial opening, balance to re-open Apr 6)
P3, P4 Mar 22
Franz's Trail merchants open for business throughout Games time, 100 parking spaces in P2 will be available as of Mar 1 for commercial parking from 5pm-midnight (no day skier parking).

Parking Maps

View Parking Maps

We have created Google Maps to help you locate our Parking locations

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Travel Planning

Updated: Fall 2009

Winter 2009.10 vacation packages for Whistler Blackcomb are currently available at value packed prices. The information outlined below is designed to help you make travel planning this winter easier, and ensure you get the most out of the mountains during your stay.

Travel in March

Whistler Blackcomb terrain will be 90 per cent open. From March 2 through March 21, public access up the mountains will be available via the Creekside Gondola with a priority lift line available for Paralympic athletes, officials and spectators.

Access up Whistler and Blackcomb will be available, as per usual, from the Whistler Village Gondola, Excalibur Gondola and Fitzsimmons Express in Whistler Village, and the Wizard Express at the Blackcomb Base.

Day parking in Lots 1 through 3 is scheduled to re-open to the public on March 2. Creekside Parking will remain closed to the public for the majority of the month.

Travel in April

Whistler Blackcomb will be open for normal operations with plenty of day parking available in ALL Day Lots. Creekside will offer parking on levels P2, P3, and P4.

Travel in Spring and Summer 2010

Whistler Blackcomb will be open for normal operations for spring skiing, mountain biking and summer sightseeing and hiking with plenty of day parking available in Creekside and the Village lots. Day Lots 1, 2 and 3 will become pay parking lots in June 2010, while lots 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and Creekside will remain free.

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Accommodations

OFFICIAL CENTRAL RESERVATIONS

CALL TOLL FREE 1.888.403.4727

For vacation deals pre- and post Games period search our Deals & Packages

 

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Whistler Olympic Events

Alpine Skiing

The Alpine Skiing events will take place on Whistler Mountain and include Downhill, Super G, Giant Slalom, Slalom, and Combined. The Men's events will be hosted entirely on the Dave Murray Downhill, widely considered as one of the top 3 courses in the world. The Women's and Paralympic Alpine course will begin on Wild Card, swing over to Lower Jimmie's Joker, and wind its way down a portion of Franz's to finally join up with the Men's course on the Lower Dave Murray Downhill.

The entire Creekside base will be transformed during Games-time to accommodate facilities such as wax cabins, athlete's lounge, and security check posts. VANOC is installing a chairlift at Creekside to carry spectators, Olympic Family and officials from the base area to the Timing Flats. In all, this venue will be prepared to host a capacity crowd of 7600 people. After the Games, much of the overlay will be removed and Whistler Creekside will be a site for future international competitions and Canadian team training.



Nordic

Whistler Olympic Park, the Nordic Competition Venue is complete and will host all Nordic events: cross country skiing, biathlon, ski jumping, and Nordic combined events.

The venue, open daily for public access hosts all competition facilities including two ski jumps, competition trails and training trails, as well as utility installation, access roads, parking lots, technical sport buildings, a day lodge and other related infrastructure. 55 kilometres of recreational trails, and access to the day lodge, are available for public use. Three separate, temporary stadiums will be in place for the Olympic Games; each will house 12,000 fans.



Sliding



The Whistler Sliding Centre on Blackcomb Mountain will host the Sliding events: Bobsled, Luge, and Skeleton events. Construction of the track is complete and public tours are being offered.

This 1,450 m refrigerated track winds its way down 150m of vertical, allowing for three starting areas: Competitive Men's and Women's, and Recreational. The track has already hosted World Cup events and training sessions for teams from around the world.


Paralympic


Whistler will host Paralympic Alpine Skiing, Biathalon and Cross-Country events.

All Paralympic alpine skiing events will take place on Franz's Run on Whistler Mountain.

All the Paralympic cross-country skiing and biathlon events will take place at Whistler Olympic Park. Competition courses include a 5-kilometre course for the standing classes and a 3.75-kilometre course for the sit-ski classes. Several kilometres of training trails will be available near the competition courses. A temporary and portable 10-metre biathlon range will be set up in the stadium for the biathlon events.


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FAQ

How do I get to Whistler?

Highway 99 will remain open throughout the winter for anyone wishing to travel to and from Whistler. Private bus carriers are also running all season long providing access to the Mountains from Vancouver.

What will be open if I want to ski/ride before, during and after the Games?

During the Paralympic period, over 90 per cent of terrain will remain open. The only closed runs will be those in the area of the race course on Whistler Mountain and select training runs on both mountains.

All lifts are open during the Paralympic Winter Games.

For more detailed information regarding lift and trail operation dates during Games time, view our What’s Open Section

What will it cost to park in Whistler next year?

Day Lot and Creekside parking will remain free for the 2009-2010 winter season.

Day Lots 1, 2 and 3 will become pay parking for summer 2010. Day lots 4 and 5, upper parking lots 6, 7, 8 and the Creekside lots will remain free.

To compensate for decreased parking availability (or closures) in the Day Lots and Creekside in January, February and March, Whistler Blackcomb is working with VANOC and its resort partners to offer temporary parking lots throughout the season. Details regarding these temporary parking lots have yet to be confirmed but will be posted in the Parking tab of this website as details are confirmed.

Will there be lodging available during the 2009.10 season in Whistler?

Yes, a wide variety of lodging options are available throughout the winter season at very competitive prices, and bookings are currently being taken.

Will there be accommodations available in Whistler during the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games period? If so, when will we be able to book?

Yes, bookings are currently being taken for accommodations during the Paralympics. Please call the Official Central Reservations for Whistler Blackcomb where one of our Travel Consultants can assist you with the most up-to-date accommodations available. Call Toll-Free 1-888-403-4727.

Other than the Paralympic events, what will be taking place in Whistler?

In addition to the competition events, Whistler Live! will be showcasing free celebration events, shows, and activities including the Paralympic Arts Festival, which will run throughout each day of the Games. These festivals will celebrate BC, Canadian and international arts and culture featuring First Nations, classical and contemporary music, theatre, dance, film, literary, visual arts, street entertainment and more. Skiing and riding on Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains will also be available right through Games time.

Please note you do not need a competition ticket to view any of these events and the Whistler Live! events in Whistler Village are free.

Whistler Live!

Are tickets available for the events in Whistler? How can they be purchased?

For Canadian residents, remaining tickets to both the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games are available at vancouver2010.com

For more information about the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games visit vancouver2010.com

GLC

Garibaldi Lift Co. – Paralympic Games Schedule

From March 12-21 GLC will be open for breakfast and lunch.
  • Breakfast will be served daily from 6:30am to 9am with a variable buffet for $24 per person
  • A La Carte Lunch daily from 11:30am to 3pm featuring a select menu at $15 per person.
    View Lunch Menu

NOTE: All information subject to change.